*New Exhibition* Twists and Tails - the Story of Angelina Ballerina

Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books is delighted to launch their brand new StoryLab Studio Exhibition; Twists and Tails – the Story of Angelina Ballerina.

Visitors are invited to perfect their pirouette in front of a full length Mouse-Land Mirror and discover the magical world of Angelina Ballerina and her creators. See Katherine Holabird’s first scribbles for the series alongside Helen Criag’s exquisite illustrations and discover how the inhabitants of Mouseland have developed into an international household favourite.

Twists and Tails showcases manuscripts and illustrations from Seven Stories’ Angelina Ballerina Collection which Katharine and Helen donated in 2012 / 13. Explore the relationship between author, illustrator and publisher during the creation of a picture book series and discover the intricate process behind bringing Angelina Ballerina and the other residents of Mouseland to life. Visitors can even discover the very first sketches of Angleina Ballerina; a set of stand up illustrations Helen Craig sent to Katharine Holabird, as her idea's for 'Primrose', c. 1982

Also on show is an illustration from the (as yet unpublished) latest book in the series, Angelina's Big City Ballet, which follows Angelina and her family arriving in the Big Cheese (aka New York).

Helen Craig donated her entire Angelina Ballerina archive to Seven Stories, the National Centre for Children's Books in 2012/13, with the exception of just seven illustrations which she has given to her grandchildren. Katherine Holabird also donated her archive to the National Collection in 2012 which includes manuscripts, publisher correspondence and merchandise.

Kris McKie, Seven Stories Archivist said, “Angelina Ballerina is one of our largest and most comprehensive Collections, it has been great to explore Mouseland through the curation process and I can’t wait to see our visitors discovering more about Angelina’s world. Not only does the archive represent one of the most popular children's series of the past thirty years, but the level of detail available from both sides of the page is wonderful.”

The exhibition focuses on three key areas;

How to create an Angelina Ballerina book which focuses on one of the most crucial parts of the archive, and Seven Stories mission, to make visible the process of creating a book. This material gives Seven Stories the chance to show the long development that goes in to creating each book; showing the involvement of not just author and illustrator, but editor too.

Angelina's Journey looks at the theme most apparent in the archive, Angelina's journey. This includes the development within the books and the journey from initial picture book to global star. Seven Stories Archive holds the very first illustrations and manuscript created by Helen and Katharine. Although different to the final version, these show the very beginnings of Angelina, and are on display alongside each other. Showing Angelina's journey within the books led Seven Stories to choosing some of their favourite Angelina moments, including when she is preparing to go to her first ballet lesson, performs for royalty, and when she meets her new baby sister for the first time.

Mouseland; The world Angelina inhabits is called 'Mouseland', and comes set with certain rules. Explore the illustrations and Helen's rough work, uncovering unseen floorplans of Angelina's home, and see pieces which help to show the detailed world the mice inhabit. 

Twists and Tails – The Story of Angelina Ballerina will be on display at Seven Stories, National Centre for Children’s Books until April 2015.

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Media Contact

For images, quotes or interviews please contact:
Lauren Regan, Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator
Seven Stories, Ouseburn Valley, Newcastle. NE1 2PQ.
T: 0845 271 0777 ext. 223
E: lauren.regan@sevenstories.org.uk